WO2017110718A1

WO2017110718A1 - Clinical thermometer

Info

Publication number: WO2017110718A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/087729
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亨志牟田
Original assignee: 株式会社村田製作所
Priority date: 2015-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-19
Publication date: 2017-06-29
Also published as: JP6566047B2; JPWO2017110718A1

Abstract

A clinical thermometer (1) is provided with: a mask-shaped body (10) mounted so as to cover the mouth and nostrils of a user; temperature sensors (20A, 20B) attached to the body (10), the temperature sensors (20A, 20B) outputting a detection signal that corresponds to the temperature of the breath exhaled from the mouth and/or nostrils of the user; a heat-insulation member (30) attached on the side that is outward relative to the temperature sensors (20A, 20B), the heat-insulation member (30) having heat-insulation properties; a seal member (40) for reducing leakage of breath from the upper edge portion of the body (10); a positioning member (50) for positioning the mounting position of the body (10) by the tip of the nose of the user being fitted during mounting; and a body-temperature-calculation-processing unit (80) for determining the body temperature of the user in accordance with the detection signals outputted from the temperature sensors (20A, 20B).

Description

Thermometer

The present invention relates to a thermometer, and more particularly to a thermometer that measures a body temperature from the temperature of a person's breath.

Conventionally, various techniques and methods for measuring a human body temperature have been proposed. Under such circumstances, in recent years, a technique for measuring body temperature (particularly deep body temperature) more easily and accurately without obstructing the activity of the measurer (for example, in daily life) has been desired.

Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a mask-type respiratory sensor that detects respiratory air in the nose or mouth. This mask-type respiratory sensor includes a substantially funnel-shaped support body that covers the nose and mouth and has a hole at the tip, and a mooring member that holds the support body on the face, and is provided between the mouth or nose and the hole. A passage through which breathing air flows is formed inside the support. This passage is separated by a partition wall into a first passage through which breathing air from the nose passes and a second passage through which breathing air from the mouth passes. A nasal breath sensor composed of a thermistor for detecting the temperature of breathing air is disposed in the first passage, and a breath sensor composed of the thermistor is disposed in the second passage as well. Can be detected independently.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-262224

If the body temperature is measured from the exhalation temperature using the mask-type respiration sensor described above, the body temperature measurement value may be inaccurate because the structure is easily affected by the outside air temperature. In addition, exhaled air is structurally easy to diffuse and the expiratory temperature immediately approaches the ambient (outside air) temperature, so there is a possibility that the body temperature cannot be measured accurately.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and in a thermometer that measures body temperature from the temperature of exhalation, it is possible to measure body temperature more easily and accurately without hindering the activity of the measurer. The aim is to provide a possible thermometer.

The thermometer according to the present invention is attached to the body part of the mask covering the user's mouth and nostril during use and the temperature of the breath exhaled from the user's mouth and / or nostril during use. A temperature detecting means for outputting a detected signal, a heat insulating member having heat insulation attached outside the temperature detecting means of the main body, and a user's body temperature in accordance with the detection signal output from the temperature detecting means. And a body temperature acquisition means.

According to the thermometer according to the present invention, the temperature detection means for outputting a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of the breath exhaled from the user's mouth and / or nostril to the mask-shaped main body covering the user's mouth and nostril. In addition to being attached, a heat insulating member having heat insulating properties is attached to the outer side (surface side / outside air side) than the temperature detecting means. Therefore, it is difficult to be influenced by the outside air, and the body temperature in the mask shape is maintained at a temperature close to exhalation, so that an accurate body temperature can be measured from the exhalation. In addition, since the main body is formed in a mask shape, the main body (thermometer) can be easily attached to the head (face), and the activity of the user (measurer) wearing the thermometer (for example, daily life) Etc.). As a result, the body temperature can be measured more easily and accurately without obstructing the activity of the measurer.

In the thermometer according to the present invention, it is preferable that the body temperature acquisition unit estimates the body temperature of the user based on the output value and the change rate of the detection signal output from the temperature detection unit.

By the way, since the time to exhale once is relatively short, such as several seconds, for example, when the heat capacity of the temperature detection means is large or the amount of exhalation reaching the temperature detection means is small, the output of the temperature detection means ( The detection signal) may not reach the actual expiration temperature. However, according to this configuration, since the user's body temperature is estimated based on the output value of the detection signal output from the temperature detection means and the rate of change thereof, even in the above-described case, it is more accurate. It is possible to measure (estimate) body temperature.

In the thermometer according to the present invention, the temperature detection means includes a plurality of temperature sensors attached to the main body so as to be disposed in a range from the front of the user's nostril to the front of the upper lip at the time of use. It is preferable that the acquisition unit estimates the body temperature of the user based on the output values and the change rates of the detection signals of the plurality of temperature sensors.

In this case, the temperature detecting means includes a plurality of temperature sensors attached to the main body so as to be arranged in a range from the front of the user's nostril to the front of the upper lip when in use (wearing). The body temperature of the user is estimated based on the output value of the detection signal of each of the plurality of temperature sensors and the rate of change thereof. Therefore, it is possible to accurately measure (estimate) the body temperature regardless of whether the user breathes by nasal breathing or mouth breathing.

The thermometer according to the present invention further includes a seal member that is attached to the main body so as to be disposed at least in contact with the user's nose during use, and reduces leakage of breath from the upper edge of the main body. It is preferable to provide.

By the way, the shape and size of the nose varies greatly between individuals, and when the main body is formed in a mask shape, a gap is likely to be formed between the nose and the cheek in the range from the nose to the cheek. When such a gap is generated, exhaled air (especially exhaled from the nostril) easily passes out of the mask-shaped main body through the gap. However, according to this structure, the main body unit is attached to the main body unit so as to be disposed at least in a range in contact with the user's nose (that is, so as to fill a gap between the user's face and the main body unit). Since the seal member for reducing the leakage of exhaled air from the upper edge portion is provided, the exhaled gas can efficiently reach the temperature detecting means (that is, the amount of exhaled gas reaching the temperature detecting means can be increased). Yes, it becomes possible to measure body temperature more accurately.

It is preferable that the thermometer according to the present invention further includes a positioning member that is attached to the main body portion and positions the mounting position of the main body portion by fitting the user's nasal head during use.

In this case, since it is further provided with a positioning member that is attached to the main body portion and positions the mounting position of the main body portion by fitting the user's nasal head during use (wearing), The wearing position can be made constant, that is, the variation in the position of the temperature detecting means with respect to the mouth and nostril can be reduced, and the variation in the body temperature measurement value can be reduced.

It is preferable that the thermometer according to the present invention further includes a respiration rate acquisition unit that estimates the respiration rate of the user based on the output fluctuation of the detection signal output from the temperature detection unit.

In this case, the apparatus further includes a respiration rate acquisition means for estimating the respiration rate of the user based on the output fluctuation of the detection signal output from the temperature detection means, and breathes from the periodic output fluctuation of the temperature detection means due to expiration. Since the number can be estimated, it is possible to measure (estimate) the respiratory rate in addition to the body temperature.

According to the present invention, in a thermometer that measures body temperature from the temperature of exhalation, it becomes possible to measure body temperature more easily and accurately without hindering the activity of the measurer.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the thermometer which concerns on 1st Embodiment (at the time of mounting | wearing). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the body temperature arithmetic processing unit which comprises the thermometer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the thermometer which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment (at the time of mounting | wearing).

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
First, the structure of the thermometer 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.1 and FIG.2 collectively. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the thermometer 1 (when worn). FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the body temperature calculation processing unit 80 constituting the thermometer 1.

The thermometer 1 is a thermometer (expiratory thermometer) that measures the body temperature (the deep body temperature) by measuring the temperature of the breath by utilizing the fact that the temperature of the breath is equal to the terminal temperature of the blood in the lungs. In particular, the thermometer 1 has a function of measuring body temperature more easily and accurately without obstructing the activity of the measurer.

Therefore, the thermometer 1 is mainly attached to the mask-shaped main body 10, the temperature sensors 20 A and 20 B that are attached to the main body 10 and output a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of expiration, and the temperature sensors 20 A and 20 B. The disposed heat insulating member 30, a pair of

seal members

40, 40 that reduce leakage of exhalation from the upper edge of the main body 10, a positioning member 50 that positions the mounting position of the main body 10, and a temperature sensor 20A. , 20B, and a body temperature calculation processing unit 80 for obtaining a body temperature in accordance with the detection signal output. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

The main body 10 is formed in a mask shape so as to cover the user's mouth and nostril during use (wearing). The main body 10 is formed of a mask substrate such as a nonwoven fabric or gauze, for example. Further, at the left and right ends of the main body 10, a pair of left and right ear hooks 11 (only the right ear hook 11 is shown in FIG. 1) that can be hung on the ear to fix the main body 10 to the user's face. ) Is attached. Each ear hook 11 is formed in a string shape having good stretchability by using, for example, a thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and is joined to the main body 10 by welding or the like. In addition, it may be configured that a string or a rubber string is worn around the back of the head instead of the ear hook 11 so as not to be displaced with long-time wearing or the like and to improve the adhesion to the face. . Here, for example, a continuous thermometer that is affixed to the skin of the forehead, chest, etc., with a tape or the like needs to be worn in a way that is not often done in general life, so it has a sense of incongruity and the eyes of people around you Although there is a problem of being worried about, wearing a mask reduces the sense of discomfort with wearing, and people wearing a mask are a sight commonly seen in the city, so the surrounding eyes are concerned It is rare to become.

The temperature sensor 20A and the temperature sensor 20B (corresponding to the temperature detection means described in the claims) are attached to the inner surface (rear side) of the main body 10 and, when used (wearing), the user's mouth and A detection signal (voltage value) corresponding to the temperature of the user's breath exhaled from the nostril is output. The temperature sensor 20A and the temperature sensor 20B are disposed in a range from the front of the user's nostril to the front of the upper lip (that is, a position where exhaled breath directly hits the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B) during use. Is attached. The number of temperature sensors is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

As the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B, for example, a thermistor whose resistance value changes according to temperature, a resistance temperature detector, or the like can be used. However, the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are required to have an instantaneous increase in temperature due to exhalation (high responsiveness is required), and thus it is preferable that the heat capacity be as small as possible. Therefore, a chip thermistor is preferably used as the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B. The

temperature sensors

20A, 20B are connected to the body temperature calculation processing unit 80, and the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A, 20B are input to the body temperature calculation processing unit 80.

The heat insulating member 30 has heat insulating properties, and is attached to the outer side (surface side) than the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B of the main body 10. As the heat insulating member 30, a member having a high heat insulating property (low thermal conductivity), for example, a foamed plastic material such as urethane foam or a fiber material such as wool is preferably used. The heat insulating member 30 may be disposed between the temperature sensors 20 A and 20 B and the main body 10, or may be disposed outside the main body 10. Moreover, you may form the main-body part 10 with a heat insulation member.

It is desirable to arrange the heat insulating member 30 so as to cover at least the nostril and the opened mouth. Therefore, the heat insulating member 30 is formed in a size (size) of about 6 cm × 6 cm, for example. In order to prevent exhalation as much as possible (in order to improve heat retention), it is desirable to form a larger size (10 cm × 10 cm) that is 2 cm or more around. Further, since the heat insulating member 30 needs to cover the

entire temperature sensors

20A and 20B, the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are disposed at least 1 cm or more, more desirably 2 cm or more from the outer edge of the heat insulating member 30 toward the center. The

By the way, normally, inhalation is relatively low temperature in order to inhale outside air, and exhalation is relatively high temperature due to heat in the body (influence of body temperature). The

temperature sensors

20A and 20B change their output values in response to such temperature changes. Therefore, when the heat insulating member 30 is not provided, the output value (temperature) rises to substantially the same temperature as the body temperature during the exhalation operation, and the output value (temperature) falls to near the outside air temperature during the inhalation operation. On the other hand, when the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are covered with the heat insulating member 30, the temperature drop after the exhalation operation is suppressed, and the temperature during the inhalation operation becomes higher than the outside air temperature.

The seal member 40 is disposed at least at a position in contact with the user's nose during use (when worn) (that is, so as to fill a gap between the user's face and the body portion 10). 10 is attached to the upper edge of the inner surface (back surface) of the main body 10 to reduce leakage of exhaled air from the upper edge of the main body 10. As the sealing material 40, for example, a material in which a highly plastic deformable gel or wool is formed on a belt-like sheet is preferably used. Note that the sealing member 40 only needs to prevent the rapid exhalation of air by filling the gap between the main body 10 and the face, and has sufficient air permeability to allow the exhalation to escape slowly. May be. The seal member 40 is preferably disposed at least at a location that contacts the user's nose, but may be disposed on the entire outer edge portion of the inner surface (back surface) of the mask-shaped main body portion 10.

The positioning member 50 is attached to the main body unit 10 and positions the mounting position of the main body unit 10 by fitting the user's nasal head during use (at the time of mounting) (that is, the nostrils of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B). And position displacement from the upper lip). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the positioning member 50 has a substantially annular shape, and the main body portion 10 is mounted so that the nasal head fits inside the ring. Note that the shape of the positioning member 50 is not limited to an annular shape, and may be any shape as long as the nasal head is fitted, for example, a shape obtained by cutting an upper part of a conical shape (conical frustum shape) or a cup shape. When wearing a mask, there are large individual differences in the wearing position of the mask. Depending on the manner of wearing, the upper end position of the mask varies from directly under the eyes to the nose, and the lower end position of the mask varies from the top of the chin to the neck. If the fluctuation range is so large, the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are displaced from the nostrils and the mouth, and accurate body temperature cannot be measured. On the other hand, the position of the nostril and upper lip with respect to the nasal head does not vary greatly from person to person. By positioning the nasal head as a shape that fits the nasal head, the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are not greatly displaced from the nostril or mouth, and no one wears them. However, body temperature can be measured stably.

As described above, the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are connected to the body temperature calculation processing unit 80, and the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are input to the body temperature calculation processing unit 80. The body temperature calculation processing unit 80 obtains the body temperature from the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body temperature arithmetic processing unit 80 mainly includes a temperature measuring circuit 81, an arithmetic processing circuit 82, a memory 83, a thin battery 84, a wireless communication module 85, and the like. The body temperature calculation processing unit 80 is placed on the main body 10 so that, for example, the lower side of the heat insulating member 30, that is, between the lower lip and the chin of the user when the main body 10 is mounted. It is preferable to attach. This is because the temperature of the body temperature calculation processing unit 80 increases due to power consumption, and it is necessary to dispose it at a position away from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B. The body temperature arithmetic processing unit 80 includes an arithmetic processing circuit 82, a memory 83, a thin battery 84, a wireless communication module 85, and the like. Since the body temperature arithmetic processing unit 80 is heavier than the main body 10 and the like, If it is arranged at the upper part, the main body part 10 may hang down due to the weight of the body temperature calculation processing unit 80. Therefore, it is arranged so as to be located at the lower part of the main body part 10, preferably between the lower lip and the chin of the user. .

The temperature measurement circuit 81 includes, for example, an amplifier and an analog / digital (A / D) converter, amplifies analog signals input from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B, converts the signals into digital signals, and performs an arithmetic processing circuit. 82.

The arithmetic processing circuit 82 is configured by, for example, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) or the like, and calculates the body temperature based on the outputs of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B processed by the temperature measurement circuit 81. For this reason, the arithmetic processing circuit 82 functionally includes a body temperature acquisition unit 821. In addition, the arithmetic processing circuit 82 includes a respiration rate acquisition unit 822 that calculates a respiration rate. The arithmetic processing circuit 82 is supplied with electric power from the thin battery 84 and stores the calculated body temperature information and the like in the memory 83.

The body temperature acquisition unit 821 estimates the body temperature of the user based on the output values of the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B and the rate of change thereof. That is, the body temperature acquisition unit 821 functions as body temperature acquisition means described in the claims. More specifically, the body temperature acquisition unit 821 calculates the body temperature using a conversion formula between the sensor output value and the temperature (body temperature). In addition, the body temperature acquisition unit 821 analyzes and calculates in real time how the temperature rises (change rate) from the start of measurement, and predicts the body temperature. Since breathing is performed at a frequency of about once every few seconds, even if the temperature of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B rises due to exhalation, the temperature immediately drops due to inspiration. Therefore, if the heat capacities of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are not small, a temperature drop starts due to inspiration while the temperature is rising due to exhalation, and the body temperature cannot be measured accurately. Moreover, even if the heat capacities of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are small, if the time from expiration to inspiration is short, the temperature may start to drop before the temperature has risen completely. In that case, it is necessary to estimate the temperature when the temperature rises. As an estimation method, there is a method of measuring and analyzing how the temperature rises (change rate) in real time, obtaining an approximate expression of the change rate, and estimating a temperature at which the change rate is 0 from the approximate expression. This estimation may be performed by the body temperature acquisition unit 821 or may be performed in an external device that has transmitted data by the wireless communication module 85. In calculating the body temperature, the body temperature acquisition unit 821 may use an average value of the output values of the temperature sensor 20A and the temperature sensor 20B, or may use a more reliable output value of the sensor. This certainty is determined by the correlation coefficient with the approximate expression of the rate of change of temperature and the level of the output temperature value.

The respiration rate acquisition unit 822 estimates the respiration rate of the user based on the output fluctuation of the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B. That is, the respiration rate acquisition unit 822 functions as a respiration rate acquisition unit described in the claims. More specifically, inhalation is usually at a relatively low temperature for inhaling outside air, and exhalation is at a relatively high temperature because it receives heat in the body (influence of body temperature). The

temperature sensors

20A and 20B change their output values in response to such temperature changes. Therefore, the respiration rate acquisition unit 822 analyzes the time (cycle) of the fluctuation to obtain a respiration interval and estimates the respiration rate per minute. The breathing interval may be calculated by detecting the peak (or other feature point) of the output signal and calculating the peak (or other feature point) interval, for example, one minute of data The frequency analysis may be performed to obtain the frequency peak, and the average breathing interval for 1 minute may be calculated. Alternatively, a breathing interval may be calculated using a pattern matching method or an autocorrelation method by learning a pattern of temperature fluctuation due to breathing. Respiration intervals are often irregular compared to heartbeat intervals, etc., and may be difficult to detect for each breath, and are often useful not only for breath intervals but also for average breath intervals. Therefore, it is desirable to use frequency analysis, pattern matching method or autocorrelation method. Here, it is known that respiration changes at the time of onset in various diseases. Examples of the disease include, but are not limited to, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, COPD (obstructive pulmonary disease), sleep apnea syndrome, hyperventilation syndrome and the like. By continuously measuring the body temperature and the respiratory rate, it is possible to detect such diseases more accurately than measuring only the body temperature.

The wireless communication module 85 transmits information such as acquired body temperature and respiratory rate to an external device. That is, the acquired measurement data such as body temperature and respiratory rate is transmitted to, for example, an external PC, a smartphone having a display, a portable music player, or the like via the wireless communication module 85. In that case, it is preferable to transmit data such as measurement date and time in addition to the measurement result. The acquired data may be transmitted by the wireless communication module 85 in real time during measurement, or may be stored in a memory during measurement and transmitted after measurement. Examples of the wireless communication module 85 include Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), ANT (registered trademark), UWB, NFC (near field communication), and the like.

Next, a method for using the thermometer 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. When measuring a body temperature, a respiratory rate, etc. using the thermometer 1, first, a pair of left and right ear hooks 11 are hung on the ear, and the mask-shaped main body 10 covers the mouth and nostrils of the user. It is worn on the face. At that time, the positioning member 50 is fitted to the nasal head of the user, and the main body 10 is positioned. Further, a gap between the main body 10 and the face is filled with the seal member 40 attached to the upper edge of the inner surface of the main body 10.

Thereafter, detection signals (voltage values) corresponding to the temperature of exhalation are output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B and read into the body temperature calculation processing unit 80. In the body temperature calculation processing unit 80, the body temperature of the user is estimated based on the detection signals (output values) output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B and the rate of change thereof. Moreover, a user's respiration rate is estimated based on the output fluctuation | variation (cycle) of the detection signal output from

temperature sensor

20A, 20B. In addition, since the estimation method of body temperature and the respiration rate is as above-mentioned, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here. Then, the acquired measurement data such as the body temperature and the respiratory rate is output to the external device by the wireless communication module 85.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the mask-like main body portion 10 that is worn so as to cover the user's mouth and nostril is configured to receive the breath exhaled from the user's mouth and / or nostril.

Temperature sensors

20A and 20B that output detection signals corresponding to the temperature are attached, and a heat insulating member 30 having heat insulating properties is attached to the outside (surface side) of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B. Therefore, it is difficult to be affected by outside air, and the mask-like main body 10 is maintained at a temperature close to exhalation, whereby an accurate body temperature can be measured from the exhalation. Moreover, since the main body part 10 is formed in a mask shape, the main body part 10 (thermometer 1) can be easily attached to the face, and the activity (for example, daily life) of the user wearing the thermometer 1 is hindered. do not do. As a result, the body temperature can be measured more easily and accurately without hindering the activity of the user.

According to the present embodiment, since the user's body temperature is estimated based on the output values of the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B and the rate of change thereof, the output values of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are the actual values. Even when the expiration temperature is not reached, the body temperature can be measured (estimated) more accurately.

According to the present embodiment, a plurality (two in the present embodiment) of

temperature sensors

20A and 20B are disposed so as to be disposed in a range from the front of the user's nostril to the front of the upper lip when used (wearing). Is attached to the main body 10, and the body temperature of the user is estimated based on the output values of the detection signals of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B and the rate of change thereof. Therefore, it is possible to accurately measure (estimate) the body temperature regardless of whether the user breathes by nasal breathing or mouth breathing.

According to the present embodiment, at the time of use (at the time of wearing), so as to be disposed at least at a position that contacts the user's nose (that is, so as to fill a gap between the user's face and the main body 10), A seal member 40 is attached to the main body 10 and reduces leakage of exhaled air from the upper edge of the main body 10. Therefore, exhaled air can efficiently reach the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B (that is, the amount of exhaled gas that reaches the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B can be increased), and the body temperature can be measured more accurately. Become.

According to this embodiment, it has the positioning member 50 which is attached to the main-body part 10 and positions the mounting position of the main-body part 10 by fitting a user's nasal head at the time of use (at the time of mounting | wearing). Therefore, the mounting position of the mask-shaped main body 10 can be made constant, that is, variations in the positions of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B with respect to the mouth and nostril can be reduced, and variations in body temperature measurement values can be reduced.

According to this embodiment, the respiration rate acquisition unit 822 that estimates the respiration rate of the user based on the output fluctuation of the detection signals output from the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B is provided, and the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B due to respiration. Since the respiration rate can be estimated from the periodic output fluctuations, the respiration rate can be measured (estimated) in addition to the body temperature.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
Next, a thermometer 1B according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the description of the same or similar configuration as in the first embodiment will be simplified or omitted, and different points will be mainly described. FIG. 3 is a diagram (when worn) showing the configuration of the thermometer 1B. In FIG. 3, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The thermometer 1B is different from the thermometer 1 according to the first embodiment described above in that it includes a heat insulating member 30B instead of the heat insulating member 30. In addition, since the other structure is the same as that of the thermometer 1 mentioned above, or is the same, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

By the way, when the nostril and the mouth are covered with the heat insulating member, the air permeability deteriorates although it has some air permeability. As a result, if the main body 10 covered with the heat insulating member is attached, the user may feel uncomfortable, so it is desirable to form an entrance for breathing air (air). Such an air inlet / outlet port is provided, for example, on the side of the heat insulating member 30B (main body portion 10B) so that the exhaled air temporarily accumulates in an area covered with the heat insulating member 30B, and the exhaled air enters the heat insulating member 30B from the inside. It is preferable to form it so that it can be pulled out to the side after hitting. That is, exhalation does not escape from the upper side or the lower side of the heat insulating member 30B (main body part 10B), but instead of coming out from the side, the exhalation does not directly escape to the outside, but strikes the heat insulating member 30B and changes its direction. It is preferable to leave behind.

Therefore, the heat insulating member 30B is configured to guide the exhaled air exhaled from the user's nostril or mouth toward the side of the heat insulating member 30. More specifically, for example, both sides of the heat insulating member 30 B (a part of the side of the main body 10) are formed with a relatively highly breathable cloth or the like. It should be noted that a gap may be formed at a part of the portion where the side end of the heat insulating member 30B contacts the user's cheek to serve as a breathing air (air) entrance.

According to this modification, it is possible to reduce breathing difficulty when the main body 10B is mounted. Further, similarly to the thermometer 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the body temperature can be measured more easily and accurately without obstructing the activity of the measurer.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, when the output of the

temperature sensors

20A and 20B is analyzed and fluctuation due to exhalation and inhalation cannot be detected, and / or when the maximum temperature does not reach a predetermined temperature close to the body temperature, it is determined as a wearing error, An alert may be issued.

In addition, the shape, size, material, arrangement, and the like of the heat insulating member 30 (30B), the sealing member 40, and the positioning member 50 described above are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be arbitrarily set. . Further, although a thin battery is used as the driving power source, a coin battery or a button battery may be used, or a wireless power feeding method may be used. Moreover, it is desirable that the body temperature calculation processing unit 80 has a structure that can be detached from the main body 10 (10B). Although it is necessary to discard the mask-shaped main body 10 every time it is used to prevent infection, it is costly to dispose of the body temperature calculation processing unit 80. Therefore, by making the body temperature calculation processing unit 80 detachable from the main body 10 (10B), the body temperature calculation processing unit 80 is removed from the main body 10 (10B) after use, and only the main body 10 (10B) is discarded. The body temperature calculation processing unit 80 is desirably attached to a new main body 10 (10B) and reused.

DESCRIPTION OF

SYMBOLS

1,

1B Thermometer

10,10B

Main body part

20A,

20B Temperature sensor

30, 30B Thermal insulation member 40 Seal member 50 Positioning member 80 Body temperature calculation processing unit 81 Temperature measurement circuit 82 Calculation processing circuit 821 Body temperature acquisition part 822 Respiration rate acquisition part 83 Memory 84 Battery 85 Wireless communication module

Claims

In use, a mask-like body that covers the user's mouth and nostrils;
A temperature detecting means attached to the main body portion and outputting a detection signal according to the temperature of exhaled air exhaled from the mouth and / or nostril of the user at the time of use;
A heat insulating member having heat insulating properties attached to the outside of the temperature detecting means of the main body, and
A thermometer comprising: a body temperature obtaining means for obtaining a body temperature of the user in accordance with a detection signal output from the temperature detecting means.
The thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the body temperature acquisition means estimates a user's body temperature based on an output value and a change rate of a detection signal output from the temperature detection means.
The temperature detection means includes a plurality of temperature sensors attached to the main body so as to be disposed in a range from the front of the user's nostril to the front of the upper lip when in use.
The thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the body temperature acquisition unit estimates a user's body temperature based on an output value and a change rate of a detection signal of each of the plurality of temperature sensors.
It further includes a seal member that is attached to the main body so as to be disposed at least in contact with the user's nose when used, and that reduces leakage of breath from the upper edge of the main body. The thermometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a positioning member that is attached to the main body portion and that positions a mounting position of the main body portion by fitting a user's nasal head during use. Thermometer described in 1.
6. The respiration rate acquisition unit according to claim 1, further comprising a respiration rate acquisition unit configured to estimate a respiration rate of a user based on an output fluctuation of a detection signal output from the temperature detection unit. Thermometer.